phade

It was definitely once farmed as there are old farm tools leftover. I don't think the soil is hard; I suspect it's probably the fertile loam that surrounds in (the ag fields). I didn't think much about those small cultivators...I think I know someone with one, but just can't remember who it is...lol. Can't even get a push tiller in there at the moment. Everything has to be carried.

Nice pic CF! It'll be interesting to see how this season's weekend plays out.

Oh my...what nice elk. Roosevelts I presume?

This is how you start kids with the outdoors and hunting...not a special season.

Skimmed over major point here. If the youth hunt is the initiator of getting a kid into hunting for the first time, there's much bigger problems at hand. "Special" is not justification for starting a kid in the outdoors/hunting...in my opinion.

Last year shouldn't be a measuring stick. It was hastily put through and poorly communicated/advertised per the DEC itself as quoted saying so. The other thing, as we all know, was that weekend was HORRIBLE weather in some parts of the state, constant rain and wind. I remember sitting in that weather thinking there's no way kids will want to be in this stuff the first time out. I doubt the impact will be huge, but, I don't think last year was a good representative of what every year will be like.

Who's done it and had any level of success? One first year plot got boxed in by ag faster than anticipated and no machinery can get in beside what can be carried...not even pushed as the ground around it is marsh on all sides except the ag. So, swinging for the fences. I know radish is prime for first year plots and groundbreaking. Gly has been laid down twice and have a good bit of burndown. I'll attach a pic from today that my cam sent me that has some of the area sprayed in the corner of the pic. Grasses never got beyond ankle high for the most part. It does get decent browse pressure, so the native grass and whatever clover established from a leftover "frost-seeding" I did kept their attention for a while. I plan to weedeat the ground and clear it enough for S2S contact as best as I can and seed it this weekend. Haven't done a poor man's plot in a while.

I think most people's concern here relies on the "special" treatment and it's long-term impact on recruitment. Hard data is challenging to come by in this area and I don't think anyone is against getting kids involved. How best to do it is really the crux of the topic.

It'll be interesting to see what recruitment numbers they come up with. Problem is that the data may never be reliable because of the larger upswing in hunter numbers nationally and across age and gender distinctions the past few years.

Interesting find there.

Safety isn't the biggest issue for me. My concern lies with the way kids are introduced. I support the special season as it stands, but I'm not sold on how everything has to be "special" for a kid. Eventually, kids are no longer "special" and must be lumped in with the masses. That's a shock based on my experience; some kids navigate it well...others not so much. I think youth programs don't pay enough attention to this aspect. The good old fashioned opening day was pretty darn "special" to me without a need to be "special" with my own weekend.

Thoise are pretty normal looking deer for this time. Coats shedding...

Tough subject. I see both sides to the coin.

HP is a great place to buy it. I worked at one when I was younger. Much better prices on some items (guns, ammo, some stands/clothing) than Dick's/Gander. It's opening by TSC in Newark August 15 or so.

Nice!

Been eating fallen apples for about a week or so...

Nice series and buck.

Take the climber on day one of practice and set it at 5 feet. Each day...climb up one foot and shoot. Itll come second nature after a while for many. It takes me a few climbs to be familiar again with heights. You'll do fine!

Thanks for offering the contest and congrats to the winners.

Sitka is too much for my blood, but I've tried it on a fair amount. If I was to the point that level of money didn't matter, I'd wear it. Rugged, form fitted for movement, thin but warm, and lightweight. Prime western gear. The treestand stuff is nice, but again, overpriced for what I am willing to spend. Hunting is what you make it of, within the ethical and legal boundaries. LaCrosse had an old commerical many years ago that was just absolutely fantastic. It was just a pic of the boots being worn by a hunter (shot from the knee down so all you see are the boots), getting out of the truck and heading into the woods. At the start of the walk, all you heard were noises from homes, businesses, kids, cars, etc. As the walk went on, the sounds faded into natural sounds, marked by the step into a creek and the splash sounds, at which point all you heard were leaves rustling, trees blowing, the water, birds, etc. I always thought that was one of the best commericals ever made toward hunters. Yeti's new commerical with the cooler in the back pretty much describes my hunting. I feel that is another one that captures the spirit.

Yes it is free. I think we all appreciate that. But, I don't think that's the point of why people are complaining. At least, not for me, anyway. If I shake a man's hand, I make a deal. It's my word. Sure, things come up. Glad to see BJ getting through it. Kids are hard work.

I doubt he's a 501©3 organization, thus he is likely a for-profit business. Whether he profits or not may be up for debate. Unless sales of ad space, clothing, stickers, etc. are no longer considered to be taxable income.

This is worth bolding, italics, and underlining. I have this same experience.

Used to hunt a bit around Utica. Lots of turkey in spots. Why not look at a drive to Letchworth...its really built for your needs at the moment. camping and hunting. Good deer to be had too with a little digging.

I wish they would do that show on the weekend. Would be nice to visit.